“Bees are my happy place,” says Master Beekeeper Chris Kelly.
The owner of Promise Land Apiaries in Mattituck (631-275-5786) has loads of favorite things around the East End, but nothing will top the buzz that bees bring him.
“They feed all of your senses,” says Kelly. “When I watch the bees come in and out [of the hive], the hum is absolute music to my ears. The smell of the hive, the bouquet of flowers surrounding your environment. And then when you open a beehive, it’s an absolute education in how to get things done as a community.”
Kelly has been in the business of beekeeping for 50 years but has spent a lifetime dwelling in agricultural endeavors. He earned his degree in entomology and horticulture from Cornell, kept bees on Hawaii’s Big Island, assistant managed what is now Ospreys Dominion and manned agricultural operations at WBS Environmental Services in Yaphank.
In 1986, the Mattituck resident of 37 years opened Promise Land, where he manages 350 hives — 250 of his own and 100 for private clients. Kelly shares his love for pollinators with trainees, produces unfiltered, unheated honey and continuously experiments within the industry, finding new and improved ways to sustainably create more and more of his liquid gold.
Recently, he has partnered with Larry Kaiser, chef at 1760 Homestead Farms in Riverhead to put on a monthly beekeeper’s lunch, incorporating fresh honey into classic dishes.
“Here I am,” says Kelly, “full time with bees, and loving life.”
These are a few of Chris Kelly’s favorite things.
Favorite place to exercise No contest, Mike Carrozza at Body by Carrozza (1224 Ostrander Ave., Riverhead, 631-603-6996). He has a basement gym underneath Sound Vision Care. I’ve been an athlete all my life; he’s by far and away the best trainer because he’s a holistic trainer.
Favorite type of honey I love the honey golden rock, which is a fall flower. It must be the old athlete in me that comes out because goldenrod actually smells like stinky socks. It’s kind of earthy and it’s my favorite.
Favorite way to eat honey I’m pretty much a straight-up kind of guy. Partnering with Larry has brought me a newfound appreciation for putting honey into food. I love everything he has done. I do like Greek baklava.
Favorite place to get produce We have two favorites: first is Sang Lee Farms (25180 Country Road 48, Peconic, 631-734-7001) and the second is Priscilla’s Farm (3005 Youngs Ave., Southold, 631-332-5251). I just mention them in that order but in my book they’re equal. They produce the finest, finest produce. All around, out here, however, you’re not going to go wrong. I’m going to miss a couple of names, but in reality what a bounty, so to speak, being able to have farms out here on the East End that produce world-class food.
Favorite local business Love Lane Sweet Shoppe (125 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-2276). They know my box of chocolates. Mattituck Florist (95 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-5840); they deliver flowers to [my wife] Lesaya every Friday. We do really believe if we’re local we want to support local.
Favorite time of year I actually love each season. I like spring because it speaks to the hopeless promise, what’s to come, and I love that because in the beekeeping calendar you’re trying to implement those things that you planned and wrote out in the wintertime that you couldn’t do at the time. I love the summer, I love the warmth of the days. You go down to Bailie Beach (1901 Bailie Beach Road, Mattituck) and there’s nothing like the Sound out here. I love the fall because I love the leaves’ colors changing.
